Dunston turn eyes towards FA Cup clash
DUNSTON UTS turn their attentions towards the FA Cup after moving to the top of the Northern League Division One table in midweek.
Wednesday night’s home win over Seaham Red Star saw Chris Swailes’ side leapfrog Shildon and Blyth AFC in the table.
They now look forward to tomorrow’s FA Cup Preliminary Round home tie against Pontefract Colleries and Swales is expecting a tough test against the newlypromoted Evo-Stik League East outfit.
Swailes said: “I suppose people will say I should be surprised by how well we have started but we have a talented, committed group of players and they have done everything we have asked of them.
“We face another tough test against Pontefract because they have just been promoted and they have been flying in pre-season.
“It’s a home draw and sometimes that all you can ask for but now the challenge is to carry on our good start and beat a side from a higher league than us.”
Goalkeeper Niall Harrison is the only player missing from Swailes’ squad.
Whitley Bay manager Andy Gowens has no injury concerns ahead of their home tie against Hallmark Security League club Barnoldswick Town.
Sunderland RCA are boosted by the return of striker Colin Larkin and midfielder Luke Page for their trip to Evo-Stik League West club Clitheroe.
Kyle Oliver’s suspension means he is the only absentee from the Blyth AFC squad that travel to face Knaresbrough Town.
Shildon face a tough-looking trip to Tadcaster Albion and Guisborough Town are also on the road as they head to West Yorkshire to face Albion Sports.
Seaham Red Star are without former Team Northumbria defender Matty Lowrie ahead of their all-Northern League tie at Consett.
Other all-Northern League tie sees West Auckland Town travel to Sam Smith’s Park to face Newcastle Benfield.
Luke Sullivan and Andrew Stephenson have been ruled out of Hebburn Town’s Northern League Division One home game against Ryhope CW.
The visitors have their own injury issues with 11 players missing from their squad including new signing Carl Jones.